Pennsylvania Senate Republicans to discuss abortion bill

Senate Republicans are considering a House bill that would prohibit health insurers participating in health-care exchanges from covering abortions.

Pennsylvania Senate Republicans are considering a House bill that would limit abortion coverage.Credit: Getty Images

Pennsylvania Senate Republicans are expected to begin discussing a House bill this week that would prohibit health insurance companies that participate in health-care exchanges from paying for abortions.

The state House of Representatives approved its version of the abortion bill last week.

Now, the sponsor of the Senate bill — reintroduced earlier this year after receiving strong support in 2011 — is urging his Republican colleagues to move the House bill for consideration, Pennlive.com reports.

The House bill's proponents hope the Senate will act swiftly to move it to Gov. Tom Corbett, who has indicated he would sign it.

The measure would prevent health insurers participating in tax-supported health-care exchanges from providing coverage for abortions except in the case of rape or incest, or where the mother's life is at risk.

The chief of staff for Sen. Don White (R-Indiana County) told Pennlive.com the senator would withdraw his own bill in support of the House bill in order to assure a law is in place by the time health-care exchanges become operational in January 2014.